Take a deep breath, because this Byron Bay real wedding will suck it right out of you. Emma and David said their I-do’s at one of New South Wales most sought-after wedding venues, Osteria, situated between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. The general theme and vibe for the day? A ‘classic dinner party experience’. We think they totally nailed it. We’re talking a relaxed vibe, espresso martinis on tap and cigars. Read on to see some gorgeous shots of this space and to hear about the hilarious way they decided who would go first reading their vows.
Beautifully captured by Figtree Wedding Photography.
Hey Emma and David! Congrats on getting married. Can you tell us a bit about how you met, and the proposal?
Dave and I met when we were both interns at the Gold Coast Uni Hospital. We are both doctors and were on our emergency rotation. Not exactly a romantic setting for our love to blossom but nevertheless here we are! Dave really did stage the most amazing proposal. He sent me on a treasure hunt around the Gold Coast with clue cards he had hidden in my car. I got a massage, nails done and a Zimmermann dress then headed home to find Dave standing there surrounded by imported peonies and fresh rose petals with a ring box. He got down on one knee and asked if I would choose him for the rest of our lives. I, of course, said yes and then he took me to a surprise engagement dinner he had planned with our families. It’s honestly the best and sweetest memory to have.
What DIY projects did you do accomplish for the wedding?
I’m not much of a DIYer, so thankfully we had Lauren from Sunshine and Confetti to help with the creative projects!
Did you guys go with a theme for the wedding? Or where would you say your inspiration came from?
All along Dave and I had both said we wanted our wedding to feel like a big dinner party, with our closest friends and family. We didn’t want to stick to all the usual wedding traditions, so we made sure we had lots and lots of great food, lots of drinks (including espresso martinis on tap) and cigars for those that way inclined!
What traditions did you involve during your big day?
Neither of us are extremely traditional. We wrote our own vows to each other and decided to have some fun on the day by challenging each other to a round of paper, scissors rock to see who would say their vows first. It made us both relax and gave everyone else a bit of a laugh during the ceremony too. We also decided to surprise both our brothers by asking them to be the witness for our marriage certificate on the day. It was so nice because neither of them had any idea it was coming and it was a special way for us to tell them they mean the world to us.
What advice would you give to other couples leading up to their big day?
Everyone always says relax and enjoy the small moments. It honestly is the best advice. We were fortunate enough that both of us were really relaxed on the day. Everything went really smoothly thanks to the great vendors and excellent venue so we didn’t have to stress about a single thing. We got to enjoy every little detail. We also had amazing photographers who made sure they took Dave and I away at various points throughout the day to make sure we connected and got some fantastic shots at the same time.
What does marriage mean to you?
Marriage to Dave and I means getting to spend the rest of our lives together as best friends and soul mates. We were so excited to get married and begin the next phase of our journey together. It has made us closer than ever and solidified an already amazing bond.
What was your favourite moment on your wedding day?
There were so many amazing moments. We both look back on the day and can’t actually believe how perfect it was. We went to the top of Cabarita headland for photos and we both look back on that time with particular fondness. It was just Dave and I plus our photographers but it’s one of our favourite places, the weather was perfect and we were freshly married with the biggest grins on our faces.
How did you find your venue and was the process difficult for you?
We had originally booked a different venue and decided to check out Osteria because we had seen so many epic wedding posts from there. We immediately knew we needed to cancel the other venue and book at Osteria. The biggest sign was that Dave got emotional standing in the garden and really felt like that was the place we were supposed to be married. We booked in that day and the rest of the process was so easy. Really relaxed and smooth, we were able to make any changes we wanted and tailor it to suit our particular style. Our vendors had also all worked with Osteria and knew the ins and outs of the place so that made it even easier.
To wrap things up, what was your ceremony song?
Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles.
Love it and your first dance song?
To Love Somebody – Bee Gees.
CREDITS: Venue Osteria // Stylist and planner Sunshine and Confetti // Florist Florals and Co // Furniture hire Hampton Event Hire // Lighting Byron Audio // DJ Coastal Beats DJ // Ceremony music Gold Coast String Quartet // Celebrant Married by Tash // Photographer Figtree Wedding Photography // Bride hair and makeup Alana Mevissen // Bridesmaid hair Ron Snodgrass // Wedding dress Theia Couture // Shoes Jimmy Choo // Rings Jacque Fine Jewellery // Groom and Groomsmen Peter Jackson // Guest Transport A2B Transport.
